Is 15" enough space between upper cabinet and countertops?

last year

I know the standard is 18" but my ceilings are low and can only support a 36" upper cabinet unless I lower them to 15" above the countertop, which would accomadate a 42" upper. Is that a bad idea?

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PRO

The Kitchen Place

last year

I think 15" is awesome. My 1925 home has an unusual ceiling height. I remodeled my kitchen 12 years ago. I really wanted a "vintage" look with the stacked uppers but my ceilins were about 100" tall. I lowered my uppers so only 15". I love it. In fact, my short friends come over and notice it and LOVE it. My one friend was ticked that I didn't offer it to her as an option. I'm 5'6"...she's barely 5ft. I have a kitchen island...so I don't mind the shorter height there. I don't use many kitchen appliances....if I do, it's on the island, across the room or in my butler's pantry.

Wish I had a better pic showing the uppers. I'll look around for one.

Kelly

Plain & Fancy Kitchen - Dayton Ohio · More Info

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Comments (13)

PRO
Minardi
last year
Yes, it's a bad idea. Small appliances all are built with that 18" in mind.
HU-918119203
last year
With ~7.5' ceilings, I wouldn't want 42" uppers for purely aesthetic reasons even if 15" clearance over the counter were functional. It's going to be a very heavy, overwhelming look.

You're probably not losing that much usable storage by going to 36", and you could likely make up for it elsewhere. I have ~8' ceilings and ~36" uppers and they are very functional.
DMJ Contracting thanked HU-918119203
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PRO
DMJ Contracting
Original Author
last year
That's what I needed to know! I was afraid it would be a "heavy, overwhelming look". We are raising a dropped ceiling to gain an extra 10". I currrently have 30" cabinets so even a 36" upper will be nice. Thanks a bunch!
eam44
last year
last modified: last year
“Is 15" enough space between upper cabinet and countertops?”

It is exactly enough space to fit a 15” Dancing Baby Groot figurine. I’m not sure anything else matters. 😂
chispa
last year
15" between counter and upper cabinets is a bit tight and most will feel like your kitchen is "falling down" when they visit. You want at least 18".
eam44
last year
Good decision keeping the 18”. Good luck with the reno!
PRO
DMJ Contracting
Original Author
last year
That's great to know! I would love to see other photos if you're able. I'm still working on the layout. Thanks!
catbuilder
last year
I typically put the cabinets at 16". None of the kitchens look like they are "falling down"! I've never had a problem with appliances fitting underneath, either. Even the KitchenAid mixer isn't a problem, as I always pull it forward to use anyway.
Halley Winter
last month
My 1960's kitchen has 15 inches. I hate it. The kitchen aid does NOT fit underneath, the microwave barely fits. I'm short and it is NOT helpful for "reaching things," it just is a pain in the rear end. I hope you didn't do it.
Buehl
last month
18" is the "standard" backsplash height. Small appliance manufacturers use that standard when designing their appliances. If you go with 15", you will likely not be able to fit a coffeemaker, mixer, or other small appliance under the cabinets - whether they're sitting on the counter or just there when in use.

When using small appliances on the counter, if you cannot fit them under the cabinets, you will need to use them close to the edge of your counters in the approximately 12" in front of the upper cabinets (that assumes 12"D uppers + 1" for door; if your uppers are deeper, then there will be even less counter frontage to work with).

I would stick with 18" -- and that's b/w whatever is the lowest part of the uppers - cabinets or light rail.

Realistically, would the top 6" of a 42" tall cabinet be usable? You also don't want to overwhelm a smaller-than-normal space (height-wise).
Buehl
last month
Well darn! I just realized this thread is over a year old - too late to be of any use to the orignal poster. I'm usually good at noticing if someone has resurrected an old thread, but I missed it this time!
John Liu
last month
It’s an odd question anyway. People should know what small appliances they have or want, and have a ruler to measure.